Air Canada Cabin Toiletries Rules Explained: What UK Travellers Need to Know
Flying with Air Canada and wondering which toiletries you can take in your cabin baggage?
For UK travellers heading to Canada, the rules can seem more complicated than they need to be. You need to consider Air Canada's baggage rules, airport security restrictions on liquids, aerosols and gels, and potentially the rules applying on your return journey from a Canadian airport.
The basic rule is straightforward: liquids, gels and aerosols in your Air Canada carry-on should normally be in containers of 100ml/100g or less, with the containers fitting into one clear, closed and resealable plastic bag no larger than one litre.
That includes many everyday toiletries — not just obvious liquids such as shampoo.
Here's what UK travellers need to know.
Quick Answer: What Toiletries Can You Take on Air Canada?
You can take ordinary toiletries in your Air Canada cabin baggage, provided they meet the applicable security and dangerous-goods restrictions.
Products treated as liquids, aerosols or gels include:
Shampoo and conditioner
Shower gel
Toothpaste
Mouthwash
Roll-on and gel deodorant
Aerosol deodorant
Shaving foam and shaving gel
Perfume and cologne
Sun cream and sunscreen spray
Moisturisers and lotions
Liquid foundation
Mascara
Liquid eyeliner
Lip gloss
Hair gel
Hairspray
For cabin baggage, these should generally be in containers of 100ml / 100g or less and packed within the permitted one-litre liquids bag.
What Is Air Canada's 100ml Liquids Rule?
Air Canada's published carry-on guidance states that liquids and gels must be in containers of 100ml/100g (3.4oz) or less.
Air Canada also warns that containers larger than this can be confiscated at the security checkpoint.
The permitted containers should be placed inside:
One clear plastic bag
Closed and resealable
No larger than one litre
One bag per passenger
If you're travelling from a Canadian airport, CATSA applies the same basic 100ml/100g container limit and one-litre transparent resealable bag requirement.
This makes appropriately sized travel toiletries particularly useful for a UK–Canada return journey.
Does Toothpaste Count as a Liquid on Air Canada?
Yes.
Toothpaste is specifically included by CATSA among products treated as liquids, aerosols and gels for airport security purposes.
That means your toothpaste should normally be in a container of 100ml or less when travelling in your cabin baggage.
Remember that the size of the container matters.
A half-empty 125ml tube is still a 125ml container. Using most of the toothpaste before your holiday doesn't turn an oversized tube into a compliant travel container.
A travel-size tube is therefore the simplest option.
Can You Take Deodorant on Air Canada?
Yes, but the rules depend partly on the type of deodorant.
Roll-On and Gel Deodorant
Liquid, roll-on and gel deodorants should be treated as part of your liquids allowance and packed accordingly.
Aerosol Deodorant
Aerosol deodorant can also be carried, but it is subject to the liquids and aerosols restrictions.
CATSA specifies that liquid, aerosol or gel deodorant in carry-on baggage should be in a container of 100ml or less.
Air Canada additionally requires aerosol release valves to be protected by a cap or another suitable means to prevent accidental release.
So a properly capped travel-size aerosol deodorant is much easier to deal with than a full-size bathroom can.
Can You Take Aerosols on Air Canada?
Yes, certain everyday toiletry aerosols are accepted, subject to restrictions.
Examples can include:
Aerosol deodorant
Hairspray
Shaving foam
Sunscreen spray
For cabin baggage, the 100ml/100g container restriction applies.
Air Canada also states that aerosol release valves must be protected against accidental release.
Larger permitted toiletry aerosols may be carried in checked baggage, but additional quantity limits apply.
Air Canada says liquids, gels and aerosols such as hairspray, perfume and cologne are accepted in checked baggage provided their total capacity does not exceed 2 litres/2kg per passenger.
Can You Take Shampoo and Shower Gel on Air Canada?
Yes.
Shampoo, conditioner and shower gel can travel in your cabin baggage, but they are liquids or gels for security purposes.
For cabin baggage, use containers of 100ml or less and include them in your liquids bag.
CATSA specifically identifies shampoo and conditioner as liquids.
For a short trip, taking travel-size versions can also save a considerable amount of space compared with carrying full-size bathroom bottles.
Can You Take Sun Cream on Air Canada?
Yes.
Sun cream is allowed, but creams, lotions and sunscreen sprays fall within the liquids, aerosols and gels restrictions.
That means a bottle or tube carried through security should normally contain 100ml or less.
CATSA also specifically identifies sunscreen spray as an aerosol subject to the cabin liquids restrictions.
If you're taking a larger bottle for a longer Canadian trip, checked baggage may be the more appropriate place for it.
Can You Take Makeup on Air Canada?
Yes.
The important distinction is between cosmetics that security treats as liquids or gels and genuinely solid products.
CATSA specifically identifies liquid cosmetics including:
Mascara
Liquid foundation
Liquid eyeliner
It also identifies gel cosmetics such as gel blush and gel lip products, as well as lip gloss.
These should therefore be included when you're planning your liquids bag.
Solid or powder cosmetics can be treated differently, although security restrictions can still apply to certain products and quantities.
If you're unsure about a particular cosmetic, check its consistency rather than simply assuming that everything described as "makeup" follows the same rule.
What About Perfume and Aftershave?
Perfume and cologne are permitted, but they count as liquids.
For cabin baggage, keep individual containers within the 100ml limit and include them in your liquids bag.
Air Canada specifically lists perfume and cologne among accepted items subject to its liquids restrictions.
Be particularly careful with larger bottles. A 150ml perfume bottle doesn't become acceptable simply because only 50ml remains inside.
Can You Take Shaving Products on Air Canada?
Yes, many everyday shaving products can travel in cabin baggage.
Shaving foam and shaving gel fall within the liquids, aerosols and gels rules and therefore need to comply with the 100ml cabin restriction.
Electric shavers are also specifically listed by Air Canada among electronic devices permitted on board.
Razors require a little more care because restrictions depend upon the type of razor and, in some cases, your route and security authority.
If you're unsure about a particular razor or blade, check the security rules applying at your departure airport before packing it.
What About Medicines and Medical Toiletries?
Medicines are an important exception to the normal toiletries approach.
Air Canada advises passengers to always carry prescription medication on board in their carry-on baggage, particularly important medication for conditions such as heart disease, diabetes or seizures.
Canadian security rules also provide exemptions for medically necessary liquids.
CATSA allows prescription medicines and essential non-prescription medicines in quantities greater than 100ml, although they should be declared to the screening officer for inspection.
Air Canada also advises that prescription medicines should be properly labelled with the patient's name, medication and issuing medical office or pharmacy.
Don't discard essential medication simply because its container exceeds the normal toiletries limit.
Instead, check the relevant medical and security requirements before travelling.
What About Baby Toiletries, Milk and Baby Food?
There are exemptions for passengers travelling with babies.
At Canadian security, baby food, milk, liquid formula, water and juice may be carried in quantities greater than 100ml when travelling with an infant under two years old.
Breast milk is also permitted in quantities greater than 100ml, including when the passenger isn't travelling with their child.
These exemptions are separate from the normal one-litre toiletries bag allowance.
If you're travelling with a baby, keep these items accessible because they may need to be presented separately during security screening.
Flying from the UK to Canada: Which Liquid Rules Apply?
This is an important distinction.
Airport security rules are determined by the security authority at the airport you're travelling through — not simply by the airline printed on your ticket.
So on your outbound journey from the UK, you need to follow the security arrangements at your UK departure airport.
On your return journey from Canada, CATSA's Canadian screening requirements apply.
And if you're connecting through another airport, you may encounter another security screening point with its own procedures.
This matters because airport screening technology is changing.
Don't assume that the procedure you experienced when leaving the UK will necessarily be identical when returning from Canada.
Check your departure, connection and return airports before travelling.
Connecting Flights and Duty-Free Liquids
Connections deserve particular attention on long-haul journeys.
Air Canada advises passengers with connecting flights to be careful about purchasing liquids or gels larger than 100ml within the secure area or aboard the aircraft if they won't have access to their checked baggage or room to pack those purchases before rechecking baggage.
This is particularly relevant if you're travelling through more than one country or airport.
Don't assume that because a liquid was purchased after security at one airport it will automatically pass through another security checkpoint later in your journey.
Check the rules for your itinerary before making large duty-free purchases.
Can You Put Full-Size Toiletries in Checked Baggage?
Generally, yes, provided the product itself is permitted.
Full-size shampoo, shower gel, toothpaste and similar ordinary toiletries can usually be placed in checked baggage rather than carried through passenger security.
Aerosols and certain other products have additional restrictions.
Air Canada states that permitted liquids, gels and aerosols in checked baggage have a combined capacity limit of 2 litres/2kg per passenger, with restrictions applying to products such as hairspray, perfume and cologne.
So checked baggage doesn't mean that every liquid or aerosol can be packed without restriction.
Air Canada Carry-On Baggage Size
Your toiletries also have to fit within your overall cabin baggage allowance.
Air Canada's standard carry-on item has maximum dimensions of:
55 × 40 × 23cm
A personal item has maximum dimensions of:
43 × 33 × 16cm
Air Canada doesn't apply a general weight limit to these cabin items, but your carry-on must be light enough for you to store it in the overhead locker without assistance.
There is an important exception for some Economy Basic fares. Air Canada states that Economy Basic fares purchased on or after 3 January 2025 permit only one personal item on board on certain itineraries.
Check the allowance applying to your particular booking rather than assuming the standard cabin-bag allowance is included.
Why Travel-Size Toiletries Make Sense on Air Canada
Even when you have checked baggage, keeping a small selection of toiletries in your cabin bag can be useful on a long-haul journey.
You might want access to:
Toothpaste and toothbrush
Deodorant
Moisturiser
Face wash
Lip balm
Hand cream
Essential medication
And if you're travelling cabin-baggage only, choosing smaller products becomes even more useful.
Travel-size toiletries help you:
Stay within the 100ml container restriction.
Make better use of your one-litre liquids bag.
Reduce unnecessary baggage bulk.
Keep useful products accessible during a long journey.
Avoid carrying full-size bathroom products when you only need a small quantity.
The goal isn't simply to take the smallest products possible. It's to take enough for your trip without carrying unnecessary volume.
Common Air Canada Toiletry Packing Mistakes
Most problems are avoidable with a little preparation.
Watch out for:
Packing a liquid container larger than 100ml in cabin baggage.
Assuming an almost-empty oversized container is acceptable.
Forgetting that toothpaste counts as a liquid/paste.
Forgetting that roll-on and gel deodorants count towards the liquids allowance.
Packing a full-size aerosol deodorant in your cabin bag.
Forgetting to protect an aerosol valve with its cap.
Treating mascara, liquid foundation or lip gloss as solid makeup.
Putting essential prescription medication in checked baggage.
Assuming the security procedure in Canada will be identical to your UK departure airport.
Forgetting about additional security screening during a connecting journey.
Assuming every Air Canada fare includes the same cabin baggage allowance.
Air Canada Cabin Toiletries Checklist
Before leaving home, check:
✓ Liquid containers are 100ml/100g or smaller.
✓ Your liquids fit into the appropriate resealable bag.
✓ Toothpaste is included with your liquids.
✓ Roll-on, gel and aerosol deodorant are accounted for.
✓ Liquid and gel cosmetics are included.
✓ Aerosol caps are fitted securely.
✓ Essential medication is in your cabin baggage.
✓ Larger toiletries are packed in checked baggage where appropriate.
✓ You've checked the rules at your departure airport.
✓ You've considered your Canadian return journey.
✓ You've checked any connecting-airport requirements.
✓ You've confirmed the cabin baggage allowance for your Air Canada fare.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Take Toiletries in My Hand Luggage on Air Canada?
Yes. Ordinary toiletries can be carried in Air Canada cabin baggage, subject to security and dangerous-goods restrictions. Liquids, aerosols and gels should generally be in containers of 100ml/100g or less.
What Size Toiletries Can I Take on Air Canada?
For liquids, gels and aerosols in cabin baggage, individual containers should generally be 100ml/100g or smaller.
Does Toothpaste Count as a Liquid on Air Canada?
Yes. Toothpaste is treated as a liquid/paste for security purposes and should be included in your liquids bag.
Can I Take Roll-On Deodorant on Air Canada?
Yes. Roll-on deodorant can be carried, but liquid or gel deodorant is subject to the cabin liquids restrictions.
Can I Take Aerosol Deodorant on Air Canada?
Yes, subject to restrictions. For cabin baggage, keep the container within the 100ml limit and ensure the release valve is protected against accidental discharge.
Can I Take Shampoo on Air Canada?
Yes. Shampoo and conditioner are allowed, but in cabin baggage they should normally be in containers no larger than 100ml.
Can I Take Perfume on Air Canada?
Yes. Perfume is permitted but is treated as a liquid. Cabin-baggage containers should therefore be 100ml or smaller.
Can I Take Makeup on Air Canada?
Yes. However, products such as mascara, liquid foundation, liquid eyeliner, lip gloss and gel cosmetics count as liquids or gels and should be packed accordingly.
Can I Take Medicines Larger Than 100ml?
Medically necessary liquids can be exempt from the standard 100ml security restriction. Keep essential medication accessible and follow the screening requirements at your departure airport.
Can I Put Larger Toiletries in My Checked Suitcase?
Generally, yes, where the products themselves are permitted. However, quantity restrictions apply to certain liquids, aerosols and other regulated products.
Final Thoughts
Air Canada's cabin toiletries rules are relatively straightforward once you separate airline baggage rules from airport security rules.
For ordinary liquids, aerosols and gels, the safest approach is to use containers of 100ml/100g or less and keep them together in the permitted one-litre resealable bag.
Remember that this includes more than shampoo and shower gel.
Toothpaste, roll-on deodorant, aerosol deodorant, shaving products, perfume, sun cream, mascara, liquid foundation and lip gloss can all fall within the liquids, aerosols and gels rules.
Medication and baby essentials can have exemptions, while aerosols and certain products have additional safety restrictions.
For UK travellers, there's one final point worth remembering: your airline doesn't operate the airport security checkpoint.
Check the current rules at your UK departure airport, any airport where you'll pass through security during a connection, and the Canadian airport you'll use for your return journey.
Pack with all parts of the journey in mind and your toiletries should be one of the simplest parts of preparing for your Air Canada flight.
Information checked against Air Canada's official carry-on and restricted-items guidance and the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA), September 2026.
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